In the latest episode of Crime Scene, we try to untangle preconceived ideas around serial murder, using the science of statistics to delve into the hard data. This episode we talk with former professor Mike Aamodt and with Vernon Geberth, a former lieutenant commander and commanding officer of Bronx homicide with the NYPD. He’s now a consulting criminologist who has, quite literally, written the textbook on serial murders.

The typical serial killer: How preconceived ideas let murderers go free

True crime stories investigated one at a time. Crime Scene takes in-depth looks at murders, both solved and unsolved, and the process of investigating, litigating and living life after those crimes.

News

Scanner traffic on the day of two-year-old Gabriella's death reveals how police responded to the initial call, finding the toddler unresponsive and dealing with threats against their lives. Listen in on the latest Crime Scene podcast, with host and reporter Jordan Fenster.

'Shots fired:' Listen as cops respond to toddler's death

Movies and television shows have been lying to us about criminal justice. Historical criminologist Fritz Umbach details the five top criminal justice misconceptions. From drugs to court to jail, there's a lot we think we know, that we actually don't. Listen to the latest Crime Scene podcast, written, hosted and edited by Jordan Fenster, to learn more.

5 top criminal justice misconceptions

The connection between animal cruelty and murder is now a commonly accepted fact. The FBI began tracking animal cruelty cases in 2016, but that might never had happened if not for one tiny dog, a shih tzu named Polo, and his devoted, doting owner.

The mass murder and animal cruelty connection

What is the cost of a life spent in law enforcement? Not the salary and benefits, but the physical and mental toll being a cop takes on members of the force. That question is harder to answer than you might think. suicide and PTSD rates are difficult if not impossible to track, but one academic has spent decades looking at the relationships between police work, PTSD and the health of officers. This is the latest Crime Scene podcast.

Paying the price of police work

Three cops, all friends, and all survivors of devastating injuries. But it's not the physical pain but the emotional challenges they have to overcome. On this episode of Crime Scene we talk to three former police officers, all of whom have dealt with on-the-job injury and life after the force.

The typical serial killer: How preconceived ideas let murderers go free

Download our free app to listen on your phone